DC and Marvel are mainstays in the comic book industry and in the film industry. From The Batman and Joker to The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy, they breathed fresh air into these flagship characters. Superhero movies are a dime a dozen now with adapted television series following shortly after their release. Colin Farrell played The Penguin in Matt Reeves’ film about the Caped Crusader’s early years as a detective. The Irish actor will star as the disfigured villain again in his own spin-off series on HBO Max.
Heroes and villains are the bread and butter, but what about the lesser known characters, the sidekicks and the henchman? They are the soup and salad or super scraps to some, an afterthought to the main characters. Robin the Boy Wonder in The Dark Knight Rises was left in the shadow of a bat. Bob the Goon from Batman (1989) had more staying power; he even got his own action figure. Marvel handles sidekicks better; Bucky (Marvel’s version of Robin) has been by Captain America’s side since World War II. The industry is saturated with major superheroes; now is the right time for a change of pace. Good or bad, sidekicks are their own heavy hitters that audiences never get to see or hear. Batgirl is no exception.
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Batgirl Completes the Batman Family
20th Television
First appearing in DC Comics in 1961 as a love interest to Robin, Betty Kane was the original Batgirl who established the Batman Family. The character would later undergo retroactive continuity in the pivotal 1985 comic book story arc, Crisis on Infinite Earths. Meanwhile, at the ABC network, season three of the 1960s Batman television series needed a female viewership. Thus, the Batgirl we have come to love was born: Barbara Gordon. The daughter of Commissioner James Gordon was played by Yvonne Craig. She portrayed the sidekick with a bubbly, go-getter spirit and set the stage for future female superheroes.
The Latina singer and actress Leslie Grace would have been the next Batgirl, the first since Alicia Silverstone’s performance in Batman & Robin (1997). Coupled with Michael Keaton reprising his role as an older Batman, Brendan Fraser as Ted Carson, alias pyromaniac and arsonist Firefly, and J.K. Simmons as James Gordon, there was no lack of talent. In fact, a detour from the ever serious and dark aspects of the Batman movies would not be such a bad thing. The Lego Batman Movie handled emotional themes in heartwarming and humorous ways. A return to the lighthearted dynamics of the Batman mythos would be nice to see.
To have all the Batman Family members on the big screen would be an even bigger treat. If things get to cozy in the Batcave, DC has the perfect set-up for live-action versions of two groundbreaking graphic novels: The Killing Joke (where Joker shoots and paralyzes Barbara Gordon from the waist down) and Batman: A Death in the Family (where Robin is killed by not just Joker, but by comic book fans), both from 1988.
Sidekick(ed) to the Curb
Warner Bros.
Canceled projects are no fun for anyone. For a number of reasons, executives fall out of love with labors of love. When the cancelation of the $90 million Batgirl movie gained traction, confusion, anger, and support set in. The recent merger between HBO Max and Discovery+ and Warner Bros. plans for a new DCEU over the next decade feel like money moves rather than creative decisions. Preemptive fears of box office poison could have led to the cancelation, fears that have led to other canceled projects from the company. Warner Bros. learned their lesson with Halle Berry in Catwoman (2004) and Supergirl (1984), but Batgirl is different.
In her own way, Barbara Gordon and Batgirl are a symbol of hope. At a controversial time when female characters’ purpose in media were debated, Batgirl became a role model for girls. She is resourceful, collaborative, independent, and lionhearted. She gets results in unconventional ways like Batman would in search of true justice while upholding law and order. Previous stereotypes have pigeonholed female characters into one-dimensional roles like the girl next door with a heart of gold or the femme fatale who is all sex appeal with no personality. It has not always been this way, however.
Sarah Connor from The Terminator, Ripley from Alien, Lara Croft from Tomb Raider, Hit-Girl from Kick-Ass (with Big Daddy makes a Dynamic Deadly Duo!), women in leading roles with riveting inner and outer conflicts. Similarly, Grace handled the bad news with grace on Instagram, sharing her gratitude and candid snapshots from her time on set. Much like the legendary Batman Forever Schumacher Cut, fans will want to see what could have been with Batgirl. While we may not see another Batgirl anytime soon (Matt Reeves, this is your chance!), she will be remembered as one of the young women who played the Batgirl.
